Lao Media Denies Gold Mining in Mekong; Thai Academic Urges MRC Probe

Matichon•Society•52m ago

Reader Briefing

Lao media denies allegations of gold mining in the Mekong River while a Thai academic calls for an international investigation by the Mekong River Commission.

•Civil networks and NGOs in Thailand claim there are at least 15 small gold mines along the Mekong in Bokeo and Oudomxay provinces of Laos.
•Meta Chat’Al, a media outlet in Bokeo, stated that sand dredging at Ban Pak Ngao is for infrastructure and road construction, not gold mining.
•Assistant Professor Dr. Chainarong Setthachuea argues that dredging patterns and lack of transport trucks suggest the activity is not for construction.
•The Mekong River Commission has been urged to inspect the area and measure water quality for arsenic and heavy metal contamination.

Overview

•Thai civil networks and NGOs report at least 15 small gold mines along the Mekong River in Bokeo Province and Oudomxay Province, Laos.
•The Rivers and Rights network, the Community and Mountain Area Development Foundation, and the Rak Chiang Khong group planned a border visit on November 14.
•Meta Chat’Al reported that Bokeo province officials inspected the Ban Pak Ngao area on November 6 and found sand dredging for infrastructure, not gold mining.
•RFA Lao reported a Lao official stating that while sand dredging permits are numerous, the process naturally yields some gold.
•Assistant Professor Dr. Chainarong Setthachuea noted that dredging occurring day and night without sand piles or transport trucks is inconsistent with construction needs.
•Assistant Professor Dr. Chainarong Setthachuea urged the Mekong River Commission to investigate and measure water quality for heavy metals across all potential mining sites.

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Key Entities

Place

Lao PDR(สปป.ลาว)ℹ️

The country where the alleged gold mining and sand dredging are occurring.

Bokeo Province(แขวงบ่อแก้ว)ℹ️

A province in Lao PDR where gold mines are alleged to exist and sand dredging is reported.

Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province(อ.เชียงของ จ.เชียงราย)

The Thai location opposite the alleged mines in Bokeo Province.

Pak Beng District, Oudomxay Province(เมืองปากแบง แขวงอุดมไชย)

A location in Lao PDR where gold mines are alleged to exist.

Ban Pak Ngao, Houayxay District(บ้านปากงาว เมืองห้วยทราย)

The site in Bokeo Province where sand dredging was inspected on November 6.

Mekong River(แม่น้ำโขง)ℹ️

The international river where sand dredging and alleged gold mining are occurring.

Organization

Rivers and Rights Network(เครือข่าย Rivers and Rights)

An organization joining a border visit to monitor the Mekong River situation.

Community and Mountain Area Development Foundation(มูลนิธิพัฒนาชุมชนและเขตภูเขา (พชภ.))

An organization joining a border visit to monitor the Mekong River situation.

Rak Chiang Khong Group(กลุ่มรักษ์เชียงของ)

A group joining a border visit to monitor the Mekong River situation.

Meta Chat’Al

A radio and television media outlet in Bokeo Province.

Bokeo Provincial Public Security(ปกส.แขวงบ่อแก้ว)

The entity whose buildings are mentioned as a purpose for the dredged sand.

RFA Lao

A news agency with an office in Washington D.C., USA.

Mahasarakham University(มหาวิทยาลัยมหาสารคาม)ℹ️

The university where Assistant Professor Dr. Chainarong Setthachuea is an academic.

Mekong River Commission (MRC)(คณะกรรมาธิการแม่น้ำโขง (MRC))

The central agency urged to investigate the mines and water quality of the Mekong River.

Person

Assistant Professor Dr. Chainarong Setthachuea(ผศ.ดร.ไชยณรงค์ เศรษฐเชื้อ)

An academic at Mahasarakham University and expert in civil society and environment.